Re:Complete Introduction to Particles in Japanese
by Izkata on Saturday August 27, 2022 @02:52PM
(#32621915)
> “I went to THE post office”, “I went to THE train station”.
In my hometown: There's only 1 of each and wouldn't be confusing.
Where I live now: Which one?
These don't refute GP's definition, your examples are just missing the shared context that determines whether it's correct or not.
Re:Complete Introduction to Particles in Japanese
by cecilpl2 on Saturday August 27, 2022 @05:47PM
(#32623547)
I think definiteness doesn't need to be a shared context.
"I went to the the train station to pick up a map on my way here". "Great, thanks!"
It was a specific train station that I chose intentionally or visit regularly, but it's not relevant to the conversation which one.
If I were to use "a train station" then it implies I didn't care which train station it was.
Regarding “I go to Church”, the verb to go here doesn’t actually mean movement, it’s a euphemism for “I worship”. Same with “temple”. If you say “I go to a/the church” you are actually stating movement towards a definite or indefinite place.
Again, these are challenging subtleties for language speakers where all nouns are conceptual. And most native speakers can’t explain these exceptions spontaneously